New TTC streetcars to debut in late August

Toronto Transport Commission says the first of its new Bombardier low-floor Flexity streetcars on its Spadina Line will go into revenue service on Aug. 31, 2014.

Additional cars will continue to be added to TTC's streetcar network through 2019.

TTC plans to adjust service schedules to allow greater (or longer) headways between cars, in some cases adding up to two minutes of waiting time for potential customers. Last year TTC defended the change, saying the new cars offer more passenger capacity and greater reliability, which would offset less frequent service.

Last June TTC CEO Andy Byford said the agency was urging Toronto to order 60 more Bombardier Flexity streetcars to bolster the 204 Flexity cars already on order.